Delroy Andre | Artist Focus – The South East London Illustrator Turning Passion Into Purpose

South East London may be home to illustrator Delroy Andre, better known as Del (@delstheartist), but his creative universe stretches far beyond his ends. His work is infused with the energy of American hip-hop, anime, and pop culture, blending influences from music, film, and gaming into a style that feels both strikingly modern and deeply personal.

“I’ll be real, I don’t know how my area affected my artwork,” Del reflects. “All of my work was inspired by movies, shows, games and musicians from outside my ends, and a lot of them from America.”

This honesty and self-awareness is central to Del’s journey. What started as a hustle in his teenage years has grown into something far more profound. “I used to see myself as a hustler during my earlier years as a designer,” he says. “But nowadays… I see myself as a creative illustrator who expresses his inner thoughts and interests through talent. I used to work for money, now everything I create has a purpose.”

From Fine Art to Digital Expression

Del’s creative path was shaped by his sixth-form Fine Art studies. Though he admits painting wasn’t his strongest medium, he learned to embrace brush strokes as a way of capturing detail and texture. That experimentation became a turning point. For his 18th birthday, he created a self-portrait infused with personal symbols, scrawled across his face like tattoos. “That’s how my art style developed into what it is now,” he explains — a bold, expressive visual identity that has become his signature.

A Lightbulb Moment

One of the standout moments in Del’s career came when a younger artist asked him how to gain recognition. His advice was simple but powerful: “The best way to put yourself out there is to post regardless of what people think or whether you receive the recognition you deserve. Art is a form of expression and should be treated as such… you don’t create for attention or money or admiration because now you’re forcing the creative process.”

This conversation reminded Del of his own beginnings — why he first picked up digital illustration not for profit, but for passion. It sparked a shift back to creating with joy and authenticity.

Overcoming Challenges

The journey hasn’t always been easy. As a teenager navigating the pressures of school, family expectations, and the loneliness of building a career, Del struggled with confidence. “Some people would ridicule me, my mum at the time wanted me to focus on my studies and didn’t rate the art ting… most of the time I would be on my own or at home building the hustle one brick at a time.”

Networking didn’t come naturally either, but over time he pushed past his introverted shell, connecting with like-minded creatives and finding support from people he had never even met. “My confidence slowly grew the more I networked and the more personal wins I racked up,” he reflects.

Inspirations and Influences

Del credits his evolution to the influence of artists such as Artgoon, Mcflyy and Kid Graphic. From Mcflyy’s digital realism to Kid Graphic’s collaborations with giants like Future and Drake, these figures have shown Del what’s possible. “Kid Graphic is one of the coolest designers I know,” Del says. “He would always give insightful advice and help me out, especially during the early stages of my career.”

A Style That Speaks for Itself

Today, Del approaches his work with sharper focus and deeper intention. “Instead of thinking ‘how can I make this better’ or ‘what can I add to improve this,’ I think ‘What comes to my mind when I think of this person/artist?’” His pieces are instantly recognisable, often blending portraiture with layered symbolism and detail that invites viewers to look closer.

What does he want people to take away from his art? “I want people to firstly recognise my artwork from the style and signature, but most of all I want people to remember if you’re going to do anything, put your whole heart into it, go all out.”

What’s Next for Del

While he prefers to keep upcoming projects under wraps until they’re finalised, Del hints at exciting expansions ahead. “I am looking to continue creating in-person moments with artists through my linkups and by God’s grace to start expanding my artwork outside the music industry.”

Final Words of Advice

For those following in his footsteps, Del offers one piece of advice that sums up his philosophy:
“If you’re going to be an artist, do it for the love of it, for the passion — not for the money. I promise. If you try and treat this like a source of income you will be broke. Create freely, whatever is in your heart.”